Night shift work increases the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. It disrupts the body’s circadian rhythms—the 24-hour internal “clock” that controls when you sleep and wake.
Studies have shown that eating at night alters the body’s metabolism. Specifically, it impairs your ability to process blood sugar, or glucose.
Now, a study suggests there may be a way to combat these effects of night shift work: limit eating to daytime. Researchers found that eating only during the day prevented the high blood sugar linked to night shift work.
Nineteen people took part in the study. They underwent simulated night work conditions over two weeks. Each person was randomly assigned to receive one of two meal schedules. One group ate meals during both day and night. This pattern is typical of night shift workers. The other group ate only during the daytime….